Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for increasing tear production by stimulating the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. In some variations, the devices may be in the form of a contact lens. The contact lens may comprise a lens body and a stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip is embedded in the lens body. An external power source wirelessly transmits energy to the stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip may convert the energy to an electric waveform to stimulate the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. Stimulation may activate the lacrimal reflex to increase tear production. The devices and systems for increasing tear production may be used in methods of treating dry eye, reducing the symptoms of tired eye, increasing comfort for contact lens wearers, and extending the number of years a contact lens user can wear contacts. Also described are methods of manufacturing a contact lens.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort such as from contact lenses. The methods generally include applying spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation to one or more anatomical structures located in an ocular or nasal region. The electrical stimulation may elicit a reflex that activates the lacrimal gland or may directly activate the lacrimal gland or nerves innervating the lacrimal gland to produce tears. The devices may be implantable or handheld, and may be configured to deliver the spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation patterns described.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of treating various neurological disorders using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) without causing electrochemical damage. Examples of the various neurological disorders can include pain, muscle spasticity, hyperhidrosis, vertigo, sialorrhea, or the like. The methods can include placing an electrode contact in electrical communication with a nerve that transmits a signal related to the neurological disorder. The method also includes applying an ENCB to the nerve through the electrode contact. The electrode contact can include a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electrochemical reaction products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The method also includes blocking transmission of the signal related to the neurological disorder through the nerve with the ENCB to treat the neurological disorder.

Abstract: Described herein are electrical stimulation patterns and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye disease, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort. The methods generally include applying patterned stimulation to an anatomical structure located in an ocular region or a nasal region to increase tear production.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.

Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.

Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Abstract: An example of a method embodiment may deliver intermittent neural stimulation (INS) therapy to an autonomic neural target of a patient. The INS therapy includes neural stimulation (NS) ON times alternating with NS OFF times, and includes at least one NS burst of NS pulses during each of the NS ON times. For a given NS OFF time and subsequent NS ON time, delivering INS therapy may include monitoring a plurality of cardiac cycles during the NS OFF time, using the monitored plurality of cardiac cycles to predict cardiac event timing during the subsequent NS ON time, and controlling delivery of the INS therapy using the predicted cardiac event timing to time NS burst delivery of at least one NS burst for the subsequent NS ON time based on the predicted cardiac event timing.

Abstract: A method for processing a workpiece may include: providing a workpiece including a first region and a second region; forming a porous metal layer over the first region and the second region; wherein the first region and the second region are configured such that an adhesive force between the second region and the porous metal layer is lower than an adhesive force between the first region and the porous metal layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can provide an electric waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block. The system can include a first circuit component configured to provide a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform. In some instances, the first circuit component can provide a “pause” waveform (e.g., with a period (T) that includes a swing time (ts) in which the waveform varies in a biphasic manner and a pause time (tp) in which the waveform has a constant amplitude). The system can also include a second circuit component configured to ensure that the oscillating signal is charge-balanced across at least one period of the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of treating various neurological disorders using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) without causing electrochemical damage. Examples of the various neurological disorders can include pain, muscle spasticity, hyperhidrosis, vertigo, sialorrhea, or the like. The methods can include placing an electrode contact in electrical communication with a nerve that transmits a signal related to the neurological disorder. The method also includes applying an ENCB to the nerve through the electrode contact. The electrode contact can include a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electrochemical reaction products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The method also includes blocking transmission of the signal related to the neurological disorder through the nerve with the ENCB to treat the neurological disorder.

Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor device having a sidewall insulation includes providing a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side lying opposite the first side. At least one first trench is at least partly filled with insulation material proceeding from the first side in the direction toward the second side into the semiconductor body. The at least one first trench is produced between a first semiconductor body region for a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor body region for a second semiconductor device. An isolating trench extends from the first side of the semiconductor body in the direction toward the second side of the semiconductor body between the first and second semiconductor body regions in such a way that at least part of the insulation material of the first trench adjoins at least a sidewall of the isolating trench. The second side of the semiconductor body is partly removed as far as the isolating trench.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can remove contaminating noise (e.g., direct current (DC) contamination or high frequency contamination) from an electric waveform. The system can include a passive filter that includes at least a secondary-side-open-transformer-inductor (SOTI). The SOTI can include a first coil inductively coupled to a second coil. The first coil of the SOTI can receive the electric waveform contaminated with the noise and output the electric waveform. The second coil of the SOTI can provide an impedance that facilitates removal of the noise from the electric waveform.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can provide an electric waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block. The system can include a first circuit component configured to provide a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform. In some instances, the first circuit component can provide a “pause” waveform (e.g., with a period (T) that includes a swing time (ts) in which the waveform varies in a biphasic manner and a pause time (tp) in which the waveform has a constant amplitude). The system can also include a second circuit component configured to ensure that the oscillating signal is charge-balanced across at least one period of the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can provide an electric waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block. The system can include a first circuit component configured to provide a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform. In some instances, the first circuit component can provide a “pause” waveform (e.g., with a period (T) that includes a swing time (ts) in which the waveform varies in a biphasic manner and a pause time (tp) in which the waveform has a constant amplitude). The system can also include a second circuit component configured to ensure that the oscillating signal is charge-balanced across at least one period of the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.

Abstract: An example of a system may include at least one electrode for placement on tissue in a carotid sinus region and a stimulator. The stimulator may be configured to use the at least one electrode to deliver neural stimulation to a baroreceptor region or at least one nerve innervating the baroreceptor region in the carotid sinus region to elicit a baroreflex response, and to deliver a blocking stimulation to a carotid body or at least one nerve innervating the carotid body in the carotid sinus region to inhibit a chemoreceptor response, the stimulator configured to simultaneously deliver the neural stimulation and the blocking stimulation.